NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is planning to attach the properties of certain celebrities, including former cricketers and film stars, who have failed to appear despite receiving summons in connection with the alleged laundering of illegal proceeds from the 1xBet online betting platform. Authorities have established money trails linked to these individuals.
Sources indicate that the ED may soon file a chargesheet that could name these celebrities as accused for endorsing illegal betting activities. On September 24, actor Sonu Sood appeared before the ED for questioning concerning his alleged ties to the 1xBet online betting syndicate. Other cricketers, including Suresh Raina, Shikhar Dhawan, Robin Utthappa, and Yuvraj Singh, as well as actress and former TMC MP Mimi Chakraborty, have previously provided statements regarding the fees they received for endorsing illegal betting.
Actress Urvashi Rautela, who did not respond to the summons, has been requested to appear for questioning in the same investigation. The ED is examining the promoters and affiliates of 1xBet for allegedly running an illegal betting and gambling operation in India, with surveillance of illicit funds being drawn out of the country.
The agency is also likely to assess assets located abroad, where links to the proceeds of crime have been identified. In a previous case involving another illegal betting app called Fairplay, the ED attached assets valued at over ₹307 crore in Dubai, comprising land, villas, and bank accounts connected to the accused. Fairplay was reportedly involved in the unauthorized broadcasting of cricket matches alongside online gambling.
Among several FIRs filed against Fairplay, one was submitted by Viacom18 Media Pvt Ltd in Mumbai, accusing the app of resulting in over ₹100 crore in lost revenue due to its illegal broadcasting activities.
